To Strengthen Marriage

The International Meeting on the Families in Philadelphia and the Synod of Bishops in Rome a couple of months later in 2015 have demonstrated the Catholic Church’s concern and support for marriage and families. In addition, Pope Francis published his Apostolic Exhortation of
Amoris Laetitia (Joy of Love) in response to both of these historic meetings. No one would argue about the need for support of marriage and family life in these times.
Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME) for almost 50 years has been a considerable force in supporting and strengthening marriages. Last year alone, almost 2,000 WWME weekends were presented around the world, touching more than 26,000 couples and 500 priests. (In the U.S. in 2015, 460 WWME weekends touched almost 8,000 couples, and 80 priests attended a weekend). The movement is now present in 90 countries, very much in evidence recently with rapid growth in China and enjoying some first WMME weekends in Russia.

This movement is a remarkable example of a lay movement in the Church in collaboration with priests who are committed to the evangelization of marriages. Although Marriage Encounter is deeply committed in fidelity to the Church and her mission, the support of the movement, in time, gift and resources, comes almost entirely from the participants. The long-term commitment and generosity of so many couples and priests in WWME to the mission of supporting and strengthening marriages have truly been amazing.

My involvement with WWME spans more than 40 years, primarily in the role as a presenting priest, and more recently in national and international leadership. Personally, I have found the experience to have been, and continues to be, a wonderful gift to my priestly ministry. The movement has always been strongly supportive of priesthood, and a WWME weekend is not held unless a priest can be present. There is strong reference on the weekend to the relationship of couples with priests and how these two sacraments can be tremendously supportive of each other. For me, this relationship fulfills, at least in part, Pope Francis’ familiar phrase and desire for us priests “to be with the sheep.”

What is the WWME weekend like? The purpose is to strengthen marriages. A distinction must be made from Engaged Encounter (an experience which assists couples preparing for marriage) and Retrovaille (for marriages in considerable difficulty). Both of these latter movements have been a great blessing to the Church and, of course, to couples. The usual WWME weekend begins on a Friday evening and ends Sunday afternoon. The experience is primarily between the couple, with input from presentations of a team couple and a priest. With a strong focus on communication between husband and wife and long-term tools to support that communication, the progression of talks moves from one’s personal identity to communication, to sacrament, and finally to mission. As couples complete the experience, specific ways are suggested to support their marriages.

The transformation of almost all of the couples making the WWME weekend is truly amazing. In the movement, we call it the “miracle” of the weekend. In addition, the experience of a WWME weekend has impacted parish life with the increased participation of couples and stronger marriages and family life. The challenge in our culture today is to assist couples in their constant search for continuing growth in their marriages. The same holds true for us priests as well. As Pope Francis indicates in
The Joy of Love: “Marriage is a dynamic process ... one which advances the progressive integration of God’s gifts.” Just as we need to continue in the renewal of our responsibility and life as Catholics (the New Evangelization), so, in marriage and holy orders, we support one another in mutual conversion and appreciation.

Cardinal Hume once said that the world needs a revolution of relationships. The Church, along with movements like WWME, can and should help that vision happen. This is also the strong message of Pope Francis in
The Joy of Love. Perhaps never has the opportunity been greater. May the ardent and sacrificial love of Jesus, as witnessed in marriage and priesthood, continue to spark a remarkable revolution! Gratefully, Worldwide Marriage Encounter is very much engaged in that challenge.

WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO STRENGTHEN YOUR MARRIAGE? Check out Worldwide Marriage Encounter at wwme.org, or you can visit foryourmarriage.com for other resources.